Cases

Rear profile of Gypsy with bodywork notes Case Profile: SA Gypsy Wind This Case Profile was published by the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork in their September 2004 quarterly newsletter. Visit their site at IAAMB Marleigh is proud to be a member of this innovative and progressive association for animal bodyworkers. I encourage professional practitioners as well as everyone interested in animal massage and bodywork to join IAAMB! Carrie Miracle had a decision to make. She was looking for a new endurance and competitive trail horse when she crossed paths with four year old SA Gypsy Wind (AM Gypsy Vision x SA Precious Gift). Gypsy was a well balanced, strong boned, healthy, four year old Arabian gelding who was Sweepstakes Nominated. He had a long purposeful stride, an even reach, and good feet. Finding a perfect horse is rare, and Gypsy had uneven hips. Carrie had to decide if he would stay sound for her purposes. After passing a pre-purchase veterinary exam, with a notation about his hips, and veterinary chiropractic treatment, Carrie decided to purchase him. She was aware that she would have to continue caring for his imperfections, as well as training him, and was willing to take on that responsibility. Gypsy appears to have a past sacroiliac subluxation, tearing of the sacroiliac ligaments from some type of trauma, and, once healed by scar tissue, resulted in his pelvis not being symmetrically centered over the sacrum. He has a permanent upward displacement of the tuber sacrale on the left side, commonly referred to as a "hunters bump". He carries his left hip high and his right hip low. Consistent with the displacement, his tuber ischii are not even, with the left side being higher than the right side. His sacrum deviates from right to left as it progresses caudally. The resulting twist puts an extra strain on the lumbar and lumbar-sacral area of his back. He also has a tendency to lose some of the mobility in the rotation of his pelvis, particularly on the left side. This causes him to "crab" to the side of the loss of motion, and sometimes step short with the corresponding hind leg. He has developed a prominent tuber coxae on the left from an unrelated accident unloading from the trailer after a ride. The accident caused temporary soreness and tightness due to the splinting of the muscles, and exacerbated his existing pelvic problem. I have worked with Carrie and her endurance horses for about nine years and I am Gypsy's body worker. As part of his team, it is my job to use massage, stretching, reflexing, acupressure, and percussion therapy to aid in keeping his back and pelvis mobile. I also develop short ground exercise routines for Carrie to practice with him, such as "tummy tucks" to strengthen his abdomen and maintain flexibility in his back, and circles with the hind legs crossing over, to help maintain his pelvic flexibility. By maintaining his mobility and flexibility, we also encourage healthy muscle development in his back, which gives him better use of his entire body and makes saddle fitting somewhat easier. I see Gypsy on an "as needed" and maintenance basis. Other members of Gypsy's team include a Dressage instructor, for balance and symmetry during ring work practice, a Farrier for proper hoof balance, an AVCA certified Veterinary Chiropractor, a primary care Veterinarian, and of course, his owner and rider, Carrie. In the end it seems that Carrie's judgment was sound. Gypsy will be eight years old in 2004. He has logged over 500 miles in distance rides and is becoming quite competitive in Endurance rides. In 2003 Gypsy won the AHA Region 1 Reserve Competitive Trail Championship and the AHA Region 7 Competitive Trail Championship. Gypsy and Carrie will continue his endurance and competitive trail career in 2004. It will be my pleasure to continue working with them. A February 2005 update from Carrie about Gypsy: "Gypsy won the Reserve Championship Region 7 at the Competitive Trail Ride in November. He also showed in his first dressage show and won his class." Congratulations again you two!

King's Carrie Gray Carrie is a wonderful, sweet, willing Quarter Horse mare, and poses in this picture, asking for a treat. Carrie will be seen as a future case profile regarding the importance of working closely with your Veterinarian, and blood testing for Selenium, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A in areas where feed is deficient in these nutrients. Deficiencies in these nutrients can create muscular tension and discomfort as well as associated pain related temperamental misbehavior.

Check out the article featuring equine bodywork titled "Aches and Pains" by Jule Drown in the May/June 2006 issue of The Trail Rider. Choose Veriuni products for healthy options for you and your animals - click the banner below!